GWENDOLYN SATCHELL, LCSW

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of The Essence Behavioral Health, a group psychotherapy practice in Hartford, CT. Our team provides culturally responsive therapy for adults, teens, and families—especially BIPOC clients—coping with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and life stress.

We create a safe, affirming space where your experiences are understood and your identity is honored. Our clinicians use evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches including EMDR, DBT skills, CBT, Solution-Focused therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. For clients who want it, we also offer faith-integrated Christian counseling.

We support clients facing racial trauma, past abuse, loss, relationship challenges, and feeling overwhelmed or stuck. Together, we focus on building resilience, coping skills, and hope.

We offer in-person sessions in Hartford and telehealth across Connecticut. Your story matters. You belong here.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and founder of The Essence Behavioral Health in Hartford, CT. I provide culturally responsive therapy for adults, teens, and families—especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)—who are coping with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and stress from everyday life and systemic injustice.

My work focuses on creating a safe, affirming space where you don’t have to explain or minimize your experience. I understand how racism, microaggressions, generational trauma, faith, family expectations, and silence around mental health can affect emotional well-being. Therapy shouldn’t erase your identity—it should honor it.

With more than 30 years of experience, I offer evidence-based trauma-informed care, including EMDR for trauma and PTSD, DBT for emotional regulation, CBT to transform unhelpful thought patterns, Solution-Focused therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. For clients who desire it, I also integrate Christian counseling and faith-based perspectives.

Whether you're healing from racial trauma, past abuse, loss, relationship challenges, or simply feeling overwhelmed, we’ll work together to build resilience, coping skills, and self-confidence—at a pace that feels safe.

I offer both in-person therapy in Hartford and telehealth across Connecticut, making care accessible and convenient.

If you’re ready to break cycles of silence, prioritize your healing, and feel more grounded and hopeful, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Your story matters. You belong here.